The Rencontres d’Arles 2014: Here Comes the Parade!

The 45th edition of The Rencontres d'Arles photo festival marks a special year for the director François Hébel. After 13 years of loyal service, he brings an end to this wonderful adventure and hands over to Sam Stourdzé, director of Musée de l’Elysée in Lausanne, who will succeed him. Titled "Parade", the 2014 edition provides some nice surprises and brings together both the big names that have made the reputation of the international photography festival, as well as new artists to discover.

Like every year, many sites around the city are occupied in order to present to the public nearly 50 exhibitions devoted to photography. On the program, visitors will rediscover Lucien Clergue, who celebrates his 80th birthday around an exhibition related to his “men and women”, but also Raymond Depardon, who in turn will exhibit his 40,000 photographs of war memorials in the Frères Prêcheurs church. Among other eagerly awaited names, we also find Christian Lacroix, an artist native to Arles and who needs no introduction! The fashion designer who presided as a guest curator in 2008, this year pays tribute to the women of Arles in a new exhibition presented in the chapel of the Hotel Jules Cesar and organized with the participation of L’Occitane.

As for the new talents to discover, The Rencontres d’Arles will present for the first time the portraits of David Bailey, the British photographer of “swinging London”, and the brilliant work of Vik Muniz, a Brazilian artist who breathes new life into family portraits using torn pieces of photographs and postcards. Denis Rouvre will also participate, and not forgetting the actor and director Vincent Pérez, who will introduce us to his talents as a photographer in an exhibition presented in the Montmajour Abbey.

The star of the summer, ice-cream refreshes the palette of all gourmets throughout the season. A little treat that master ice-cream maker Olivier Perrière adapts across more than 70 flavors, including this delicious traditional recipe with a scent of the South, that spotlights Provence’s ubiquitous “blue gold.”

Within an age-old park, close to Gigaro beach, the Château de Valmer charms with its allure of a bourgeois residence from the 50s. This sumptuous hotel has managed to maintain an authentic appeal through a subtle combination of tradition and glamour.

Located at the intersection of dramatic cliffs and rocky coves, the small fishing village of Cassis has become, over the years, a famed port. Its bewitching atmosphere, so typical of the region, irresistibly attracts lovers of the Mediterranean lifestyle.

Perched on a hillside in the heart of the village of Gordes, the Terrasses Theater hosts the annual summer festival Soirées d’Été. The event comprises six performances, a mix of theater, dance and music and punctuated with a subtle touch of humor, making for a real success story!

After winning over crowds in Paris, the exhibition American Icons retires peacefully to the Granet Museum in Aix-en-Provence. It’s an opportunity to understand the work of twentieth-century American masters of contemporary art, on loan from the San Francisco MOMA during its renovation.

Occupying village squares, the markets of Provence are one of the symbols of the region. Between stalls of seasonal fruit and vegetables, traditional fabrics and local produce, these exuberant events are enjoyed throughout the year in a medley of color and scent.

Five years after the creation of its first Pivoine peony collection, L'OCCITANE has just created a new face range honoring the famous flower of a thousand petals. Dubbed Pivoine Sublime, this perfecting skin care line endeavors to fulfill all the promises of its big sister.